i have a 3 week old baby. She was fussy all day yesterday and got some sleep at night. She slept 6 hours without a feeding, and now I have some sore spots in the lower part of my right breast. I have been trying to feed her every 1 - 2 hours, massaging the sore area. Is there anything else I should be doing? Can I get the ducts to unclog on my own? When should I see my doctor? I noticed the pain at about 9 am and started trying to get the problem solved then. I know to look out for signs of infection... I am just looking for some relief from the pain now.
Thanks for the advice. I tried the hot shower and massaged the spots in the shower, and for the most part, it took care of it. I have a small area that is still sore, but it seems like the clog has moved closer to going out. I am still planning on feeding her less than 2 hours apart until the rest of the sore spots are gone. Again, thanks for the help!
You've gotten a lot of good advice. Also check www.kellymom.com for dosage, but you can try taking some lecithin supplements. I found that, in addition to cutting some fat in my diet, that this was helpful. The best thing you can do too to help is to nurse nurse nurse the affected breast to releive the symptoms.
Warm, warm, warm. Compress with warm wet washcloths or towels. I also poured hot water (heated on stove or in microwave) into small empty water bottles, wrapped them in a washcloth and kept them over the area sometimes overnight. You may even get a bowl of hot water and lean over so your breast lays into it and soaks. Good luck, clogged ducts are NO fun!!
-Char
C.,
Some great advice, but one I missed seeing- If you spike a fever or start feeling like you've been hit by a truck/ serious flu-like symptoms- get to your dr. ASAP! A lot of people don't take mastitis seriously enough...esp. husbands, but is something that can land you in the hospital. I never had it w/ my first, but my 2nd was a crummy nurser early on & I got up the day she was 2 weeks old & thought I was going to die! Talk about rapid onset of symptoms!
Good luck!
D.
The best way to resolve plugged ducts is to put your baby at the breast so that his nose is in the general direction of the duct. Then when he is latched on massage the breast beginning behind the duct and massage towards the nipple. Changing positions, using heat during feeding and also using heat with a pump sometimes helps, but baby is the best resolution. If you need some more help please feel free to call me or your local lactation consultant for assist before your plugged duct becomes mastitis.
good luck, let us know how it is going.
Kay @ The Nestingplace ###-###-####
I got mastitis 4 times and I know that clogged ducts can be very painful. My doctor told me to put warm moist heat on (like a wet washcloth) 15 minutes before feeding to get the milk flowing. I used a wet rag with a heating pad on top of it. A hot shower helps too, but I didn't really have time for that. If you have a pump, try pumping after you feed her for a few minutes. Those things helped me. If you get really sore though, don't hesitate to call your doctor for antibiotics.
What I use to do when I got a chance to take a shower I would try to massage the sore spot and see if I can see a clog. I tried using a breast pump too trying to get unclog. The only thing that worked really well was a warm wash cloth and my little girl nursing. Poor thing was squirted in the face so many times after it got unclogged and she would be done nursing and just look at me than she got hit in the face with my milk. :)
